The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was implemented in 1996 under President Clinton as a step forward in gay rights. It revamped military law from its previous version, which stated that no homosexuals were legally allowed to serve in the military. DADT prohibits anyone who "demonstrate(s) a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because "it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." The act prohibits people from disclosing their sexuality while in the military, but does not make it illegal for them to serve.
This was seen as a compromise with the conservative right at the time to take steps forward in legitimizing the gay community and ensure fair and equal rights. Sadly, this effort has become stagnate under the previous Bush administration. While campaigning, Obama stated that he had every intention of repealing DADT. This has yet to happen.
At this point, over 12,500 men and women that have voluntarily joined the armed forces to fight for and defend their country have been discharged when they were found out to be homosexual or bisexual. These men and women who courageously decided that they had a civic duty to serve in the armed forces have been told that they are not needed or wanted because of their sexual orientation. We are fighting two wars at the moment are currently lacking the man power to effectively defend our country, but this is what people focus on?
This issue was recently brought to light again when LT. Dan Choi appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC to discuss the issue and openly stated that he was a gay man serving in the US Army. Lt. Choi is a West Point Graduate, Iraq war veteran and his specialty is Arabic linguistics. The three words "I am gay" changed his life drastically. One month after he returned home from the taping of the show, he was informed that the Army had started discharge proceedings to remove him from the military. Lt. Choi is one of only eight graduates in his class that has a specialty in Arabic languages, making him invaluable in the field.
When asked why he outed himself, Choi replied that at West Point he learned that he should "choose the harder right rather than the easier wrong." Lt. Choi served for a decade under policy that forced him to lie about himself and his relationships. He decided that this was the time to speak out.
This is deeply concerning for so many reasons. First, we advertise ourselves as a place where everyone is treated equally and that is clearly not the case. We do have citizens in this country that are denied equal access under the law and that is reprehensible. Second, we are in the middle of two armed conflicts and the military is more concerned about Lt. Choi's sexual orientation than his ability to contribute and lead in the field? That is misplaced energy to say the least. Third, the American public would rally around Lt. Choi if he was being discriminated against because he is of Asian descent, but since this is a sexuality issue, people are not being as vocal.
I would like to call on everyone reading this to stand up and speak out on this issue. More than 100 retired general and admirals have already called for the repeal of this legislation. They have said countless times that the military code is unnecessary and should be changed. We need to tell President Obama to repeal this legislation now. Obama has said previously that he wants Congress to repeal DADT. If we wait for that, with the on-going debate on health care, we are going to lose countless more valuable men and women on the front lines and in support positions. The President has the right to repeal this policy with an executive order and should do so immediately. We need to stop this unfair treatment now.
Let's help the gay rights movement take a step forward. Call your congressman and write the White House, or sign the petition (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/279228291) to show support for the repeal of DADT.
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